Fashion Conundrums: Mixed Prints

Hello fashion world,

I admit that activity on this blog has been rather minimal (if not non-existent) and I'm ashamed. Lately I've been placing all of my efforts on my other website, The Athenian Chic,which is more travel/lifestyle-oriented. However, maintaining this blog and fueling it with interesting content is on top of my priorities this year.

If there's one thing that keeps me from posting often is that there's a lot of work that usually goes into curating a post. I want the advice offered on here to be informed and well-rounded and actually useful to someone.

So following up on an idea I had back in December, I decided to start a series of posts on how to tackle various fashion conundrums and offer my personal take on them.

On top of my list of "tricky trends" was a styling practice I actually love which is none other than mixing prints.

Print mixing is admittedly a controversial trend and usually reserved for hardcore fashion fanatics. Most people tend to shy away for fear of looking clownish or out of place. It's definitely intimidating at first, but if you follow a few simple cues you might find another world of creativity hidden inside your closet. And that is the reason why I love styling. Fun, unorthodox pairings can make you re-discover old favorites or breathe new life into items you thought you had no use for.

How To Wear White Jeans In Winter

Americans have a rule that says "no white after Labor Day", which is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September. Any white garment  remotely reminiscent of summer escapades after that mark is considered a fashion faux pas. 

However over the last couple of years this rule seems to have no bearing on modern, fashion-forward women - along with plenty of other fashion rules. The lines between what's season-appropriate and what's not seem to be getting more and more blurry as time goes on. Almost anything goes, as long as it's properly styled. 

6 Office Chic Looks That Are Far From Boring

Hello hello,

Fall is the time to regroup and get busy. And with my graduation from Law School on the horizon, I've been thinking about professional attire more and more. As my friends land their first internships and jobs outside of uni, I am often asked about tips on how to look more put-together and work-appropriate. For anyone who lives in their jeans and t-shirt, it's certainly a challenge. However, the whole endeavor proves to be even more tedious for anyone who loves fashion and dressing for fun. Flamboyancy is unfortunately accepted and appreciated in very few work fields, so unless you're in the fashion industry or the arts, you're in need of clothes that will be a little more business and a little less play.

The first things to take into account when dressing for work are the field and the office dress code, as well as the actual work involved. Is it mainly in-office work? Are there going to be meetings with clients? You have to factor all that in your outfit-picking process. If unsure about the dress code, my word of advice is go in a little more formal during the first week just in case, observe what others are wearing and follow their lead.

Most of the outfits presented below are for offices without extremely strict dress codes because the options there are quite limited. I gather that most places should be okay with outfits like the ones suggested.

THE HIGH WAISTED PANT

Office Chic I by fashionistalooks featuring flower wall art

Neutral tones and minimal silhouettes are pretty much as foolproof as it gets. High waisted wide-leg pants are flattering, lengthening and a staple that shouldn't be missing from any wardrobe. Mannish coats are abundant on the market right now, so invest in a classic piece that will add that extra polish to both on and off-duty looks.

How To Update Your Style Mid-Winter

This time of year can be pretty boring. The inspiration runs thin. The weather is cold and dull, the holidays are well behind us, work and commitments beckon and you're stuck in your routine where nothing feels new or exciting.

Fashion can reflect that too. You're kind of over the glam Christmassy looks, the dark palette, the heavy knits but you're still (what feels like) eons away from spring and summer.  So what can you do to freshen up your mid-winter wardrobe? While the sales are still on, you can snag a couple of versatile pieces that will make the transition from winter to early spring that much easier. 

THE ROMANTIC BLOUSE

The Victorian blouse isn't going anywhere anytime soon. This ultra-romantic style will continue dominating our top choices in 2017 so grab a couple on sale now.

Romantic Blouses by fashionistalooks on polyvore.com

Fashion Conundrums: Wear Tights Like A Pro

How to: Spring Trends

Hello my lovely readers,

It's finally Spring! I've been looking forward to it because winter was very hectic and stressful for me. I'm definitely in need of some sunshine and fun. Time to get out more, be more productive, dress a little lighter and why not try a new trend?

Shopping 101: The 9 Golden Rules

Hello lovely readers,

Hope you're having a happy Sunday!

Yesterday I went shopping and got myself quite a few goodies which I'm really excited to wear and show you in the future. Shopping is such a pleasure for me and doing it with my best friend only enhances the experience. I'm not that big of a spender but this is definitely not because I don't want things, trust me, I do. A lot. It is mostly due to the fact that I try to be wise and selective when I shop because I wanna make the best choices possible. There's nothing that bugs me more than having purchased an item I didn't end up enjoying. It's not so much the amount of money I spent on it but rather the frustration of not finding any good use for it and still feeling too sorry to let it go and admit it was a waste.

So to save you from future faux pas when shopping I will provide you with my holy grail pieces of advice that keep me from over-spending and cramming my closet with unnecessary, pointless items.

Spring 2014: 3 Day-to-night outfits

Hello my gorgeous readers!

Last week I mentioned about my youtube channel launching and it is finally up and running! Our first video is up right now and I just couldn't wait to share it with you.








The theme we decided to go with at first was "Spring nights" but it became more of like a "Spring day-to-night" kind of theme, because I felt that the outfits and the makeup look (which we will upload soon) we ended up putting together could work for daytime as well as for a night out.

The video basically says everything but I wanted to dedicate a post to it so you can get a full view.

The 1st outfit is a casual, laid-back outfit that works during any hour of the day. It has a somewhat boho feel because of the printed shirt and the woven beaded statement necklace which makes a lovely addition to this simple effortless look.

The 2nd look is definitely more on the girly, preppy side. Imagine Blair Waldorf, Taylor Swift and the like. The flats make it super wearable and casual, so if someone wants to dress it up can easily do so by combining the outfit with a pair of heels.

The 3rd look, consists mainly of pink and burgundy colors which are lovely and very sophisticated and it is worn under a semi trench which provides just enough cover up for those chilly evenings. Such a good outfit for those tough transitional seasons like Fall and Spring.

Overall I tried to make sure that each style has a different vibe to it, so (almost) everyone can be pleased. None of these outfits are super daring or bold but they're universally flattering. The point of these outfits is that they're no-brainers. You can wear these or outfits similar to these and  feel comfortable and look put together without having to think about it too much. And frankly, for a 21st century gal, this is what you ask for. Sometimes you just don't have the time to put a lot of effort in one outfit.

 I need your feedback more than ever!

 Let me know what you thought of the video and if you liked it please share it on any platform, I'd really appreciate that!

How to wear it: Midi

Midi length is a trend that's been around for a couple of seasons and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Remember the times when all we wanted was to wear shorter and shorter skirts and dresses and mini was the only way to go if you opted for 'cool'. Midi skirts were always associated with older age, older decade, conservatism and definitely not any coolness whatsoever. 

It's funny how things turn around in fashion as trends come and go. Now wearing a mini is not outdated but a rather safe and quite predictable choice. Not that it's a bad thing, we all wear minis every day. But midi now holds a certain allure it never did before, that of a hip trend that only fashion-savvy girls will pull off. Plus let's not forget its practical value: you're not afraid if your underwear will show, it's always appropriate and for those that don't have Blake Lively's legs it's a lifesaver!

How to wear it: Midi by fashionistalooks featuring a sleeveless plaid shirt

Topshop leopard bodycon dress, €52 / Étoile Isabel Marant long sleeve crop shirt, €300 / Vince Camuto sleeveless plaid shirt, €33 / Skirt, €115 / Daniele Carlotta pleated chiffon skirt, €270 / Pumps, €100 / Zara mustard yellow pumps, €74 / Topshop ankle booties, €105 / MICHAEL Michael Kors handbag, €380 / Zara messenger bag, €44 / White cuff bracelet, €7,39 / Suzanna Dai handcrafted jewelry, €135

As you're probably familiar with this type of post now, you will realize that once again I decided to go with three different looks that each addresses a different age/style/personality. 

First comes the hip, fashion-savvy girl-next-door whose identity can vary in age since I don't find this look exceptionally limiting. I don't understand why a 40 year old woman cannot pull off this look, it seems very appropriate and even if she doesn't wanna go all out with those bright bright heels she can choose a ballerina or a loafer instead that will last her all day.

Second comes the comme-il-faut, Lily Van Der Woodsen (gossip girl lovers will understand) look that leans towards the formal side but at the same time isn't too formal/evening for one to wear during daytime. I always love unpredictable color combinations, hence the green animal print with the yellow pumps. The dress' print is quite overpowering on its own so accessorizing can be kept to an acceptable minimum.

Third goes the obviously teenager/hipster outfit that all self-respecting rock/grunge chicks envy. A hard one to pull off nonetheless, but a head-turner when done right.

If you missed the previous 'how to wear it' post click here

Which other trends would you like me to feature in a 'how to wear it' thread?